Steel-barrel making



July 29 1924.

C. T. DRAPER STEEL BARREL MAKING File@ St. 13. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 2y C. T.y DRAPER STEEL BARREL MAKI NG Filed Sept. 13 1920 7 Shee-tS- Sheet 4 @Maw/W ATTO NEYS July 29, 1924. 1,503,038

C. T. DRAPER STEEL BARREL MAKING Fileeksept. 13 1920 'Ish ts-s 5 @v 5 5% I INVENTOR BY I 8 3 0. 3 0 5, 1 R E P A R D T. C.

STEEL BAREL MAKING Filed Sept. l5.

1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Immun a ttozncq s Patented uly 29, 1924.

STATES-- 1,503,938 PATENT oFFlcr-z.

CHARLES 'i'. DRAP'ER, or CLEVELAND, omc', AssIGNoR To'rnn nRArERnANUFA-c- TURING coMrANY, oF CLEVELAND, omo, A coRPoRA'rIoN 0E 01110.

STEEL-BARREL' MAKING.

Application tiled September 13, 1920. Serial No. 409,992.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES T. DRAPER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, .in the county of Cuyahoga 5 and State of Ohio, have invented an Im? provement in Steel-Barrel Making, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the making of steel barrels and the like. One of the objects thereof is to provide apparatus for makingsteel barrels and the like, which shall be of practical; and simple construction land leilicient action. Other objects are to provide an apparatus of the above nature and reliable and eifective means for bringing the barrel `into and out of position. Another object is to provide apparatus of the type first` mentioned which shall be readily adjustable ffor different sizes of, barrels. Another object is to provide efficient mechanism for accurately forming a double seam. Other Objects are to provide an apparatus of the type first mentioned which shall be rapid and substantially automatic in many features of its action. Another object is to 'provide an f art, various features of which are adapted for the rapid and convenient making of steel N barrels and the like. Other objects will be in part obvious and ,in'part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of element-s, arrangement of parts and in the several steps and relation and orderof each of the same to one or more ofthe other steps,

. all as will be illustratively described hereinA and the scope of the applications of which will be indicated in the 'following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several mechanical features of this invention, p' f Figure'l is a front elevation of thls embodiment;

in Figure 1;-

a Figure`3. is a left-hand end view of the same; A a

Figure 4 is a section along the lm e 4 4 of Figure 1 taken in the directionindlcated by the arrows;

Figure 5 is a similar section along the line 5--5 of Figure 1;

Figure 58 is a detailed view in elevatlon .it may be noted that it deals rimarily with .frame comprise what on an enlarged scale showing certain features of the roller lever housing;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of barrel-feeding mechanism;

. Figure 7 isl a simplified diagram of electric circuits; andFigure 78L is a diagrammatic representation of the motor brake;

Figures 8,9, 10 and 11 are sectional views illustrating thesuccessive actions of the rolls in forming a double seam.

Similar 'reference characters refer to simi-l lar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.'

As conducive to a Aclearer understanding of certain broad features of this invention,

the formation of steel barre s or like Acontainers and is directed primarily to the manufacture-of these large heavy vessels and to the solution: of problems peculiar to such l manufacture.

Referring now in detail to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a frame 20 mounted upon the end pedestals 21 vand 22. Brieiy outlined the parts mounted on this y broadly be termed a head-stock 23 and ltail-stock 24 respectively provided with the rotating chucks 25 and 26 inserte@ within the ends of the barrel 27 which is gri ped between them and rotated thereby.. T e stock 24 is intermittently withdrawn and adjusted into the position shown as successive barrels 27 are brought into alignment with the chucks and each barrel is, acted upon 'successively by roll mechanism 28 and 29 (Figure 5) to form the end seam.

. With thisgeneral understanding the several separate although co-acting mechanisms will 'for thesake of clearness,4b e successively described. 'The head-stock and associated parts.- Referring first to the plan (Figure 2) the A pulley 30 is drivenby a -belt from the pul- "15 Figure 2 is a plan of 'the apparatus shown ins y'nii 39`on which 37 and 38 are mounted, at'a higher rate of speed. "vg

From the shaft 39 there are two lines of drive. First the gear 37 is continuously in mesh with a' gear 40 on an upper shaft 41 provided with a heavy pinion 42. Pinion 42 drives the heavy geai` 43 which is fast upon the main shaftor spindle 44 on which the chuck is mounted and by which it is driven. l rEhe second line of drive from the shaft 39 is by means of a piniony45 which meshes with va gear 46 (Figure 3) on a shaft 47. From shaft 47 the pinion 48 leads the power to a gear 49 on a shaft 50. This shaft drives shaft 51 by speed-change gearing comprising a pair of pinions 52 and 53 (Figure 2) splined to the shaft and longitudinally shiftable as by the handle 52a. In one position pinion 52 drives a gear 54 upon the shaft 51, whereas when shifted to the right, this connection is broken and the pinion 53 slides into mesh with a gear 55 also'on shaft 51.

By this means the speed ratio of shafts and 51 is altered.

From shaft 51 a heavy pinion A56 drives a large gear 57 on a stud 58` this latter gear having fast thereto a still heavier pinion 59 driving a heavy gear 60 mounted upon lthe lower shaft 61 so that itmay freely rotate thereon. Adjacent the gear 60 there is keyed to shaft 61 aA collar 60a having an ofi set through which is inserted a pin or rod 60b to engage and enter an opening in one spoke of gear 60. In this manner the ro- 5 tation of gear 60 is transmitted through the rod- 60" and the irregularly-shaped collar 60 .l machine ready for further operation the rodA to the shaft 61. The rod 6()b is of such cross section that it will be immediately sheared, thus interrupting the transmission of driving power to shaft 61, as soon as the. load upon the operating mechanisms of the ma'- c ine exceeds a certain value. .The machine and its .several parts are thus effectively safe-guarded against accident or 3ammingof parts thereof. For example, should the proper movement of the tail stock -be interfered with by reason of a barrel bemg caught diagonally between the chucks 25 and 26, the load on the cam shaft 61 would becomeexcessive, as will be clear from the construction hereinafter described, and the pin or rod -60b would be sheared off, thus safe-guardingl the main driving mechanism and the tail-stock actuating. mechanlsm. After the pin 60b is once sheared off and the is a ain-.inserted in the registering openings in the gear 604 and the col ar' 60n whereupon the operation may be resumed.

The' tail-stock mechanism-It may at this point be noted that the terms headstock` and tail-stock are used simply as a convenient means of designation and in a broad sense without limitation to any parp ioaoee 1 ticular features of the( corresponding and broadly analogous parts of a lathe.

Tracing the driving of the tail-stock mechanism, the pulley 62 is provided with a broad face to permit the driving belt 63 to 'of the invention. The shaft 67 is provided with a pair of pinions 68 and 69 shiftable as by the handle 70 (Figure 1) in such manner as to mesh either pinion 68 with a gear 71 or, as an alternative, the pinion 69 with a gear 72, both gears 71 and 72 being mounted on shaft 7 3 which is accordingly driven at a variable speed ratio from the shaft 6,7.- The ear 71 is continually in mesh with a gear 7 a heavy pinion 76 by which is driven the heavy gear 77 on the main shaft or spindle 78 to which the chuck 26 is secured and by Iwhich it is driven.

vthe chuck 26, and may be returned to the position shown, all without interruption of the drive of the parts.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 4, the tail-stock frame 79 is guided in its movement on the frame`member 20 by means of an underslide 79 securely clamped thereto, as by means of the bolts 79", the underslide 7 9 being provided with laterally extending guide underslde of the frame members 20. 'The underslide 7 9a is also provided with a lontudinally extending reinforcing web 79c1 or a urpose to rbe hereinafter more clearly descri ed, and it will be noted, as shown in 4 onv an upper shaft 75 provided with portions 79 for contacting with the Figure 1, that the underslide 7 9a is extended in the direction towards the chuck 26. The head stock 23 is rovided with a similar underslide which'is likewise extended in the direction of the chuck 25. l Since the headstock 23 is stationary and lnot slidably arranged with the framemembersA 20, the 1l? underslide' member 79 used in connection member to secure the head-stock 23 in position.

Means are provided comprising the'rack 82 and feed pinion 83, the latter turned as by crank 84 whereby this movement or any" piece 85b extending underneaththe ways isa bracket 85 to which is pinned 'at 86 one.

end of a heavy link 87. This link is built up of the telescopically disposed parts 88 and 89 held together by the cross pin 90. By this means the-effective length of the link may be varied by bringing'into registry for the pin 90 a succession of holes in one of these members with a corresponding hole in the other. The outer member'88 is forked (as at 91) and provided with a heavy cross pin A92 on which is journaled for o'scillatf ing movement a link 93. The free end of link 93 is given ajpivotal connection at .94 with the frame 79 `of the tail-stock. .j

It will thus be seen that the links 87 an 93 constitute a heavy toggle which in its fully `aligned position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings throws the tail-stock into its adjusted and-operative relation to the barrel, whereas if this'toggle be flexed or swung upwa/rdly at its center, it will due to its anchorage at 85, draw the entire tailstock with its associated parts to the right. It will furthermore be noted that the anchorage 85 of the toggle is adjustable longitudinally of the ways and that in changin the position of the anchorage 85, the tai -stock and the chuck 26 are ,likewise changed in their relation to chuck 25 and that in this manner the lchucks may be Areadily positionedto engage barrels of varying lengths.

They pin 90` joi.ning thetelescoping parts 88 and 89 of the link 87 of the toggle is of such cross-section that -it will be sheared assoon as the vload upon the toggle exceeds the value determined by the 'cross-section of the pin 90. Should the action of the toggle in moving t tail-stock be interfered with, for examp e, by reason of a barrel beingv improperly aligned with the chucks 25 and 26, the pin 90 will be sheared and the toggle-actuating mechanism will be relieved from the excessive load and safeguarded against breakageor injury.

Taking up now the means for flexing or operating the above toggle, the heavy lower shaft 61 is provided adjacent its end hanger 95 with a disk or plate 96, about a portion of the periphery of which there is secured an internal gear sector 97 (Figures 1 and 4). This gear sector is adapted to mesh with a pinion 98 on a short crank shaft 99 provided l with the crank 100. Journaled on this crank is a split collar or sleeve 101 i to which is ivotally connected a tubular link 102. T is link receives a link 103, with which it forms a .telescopic connection and which is joined by the universal joint 104 to the knuckle or central pivot pin 92 on the toggle by means of its bifurcatcd upper end provided with the eyes 105 (Figure 2). A collar 109 is slidably mounted I upon the tubular member 102 and is secured to the lower interior end of the link 103 by means of the pins .109aysuitable slots being provided in the tubular member .102 to accommodate the pins 109a and to permit of relative, motion between the link 102 and thev link 103 with its associated collar 109. .A spring 108 is mounted upon the exterior of the tubular link 102 and is compressed between the collar 10.0 on the link 103 and the collar 110 threaded upon the upper end of the tubular link 102. A secondary collar 111 forms a locking nut to maintain the collar 110 in a'ny desired adjusted position. The effective length of the link as a whole connecting the crank 100 and the pin 92 is adjustable as by means of the threaded sleeve or union 106 provided with locking nuts 107. The spring 108 thus forms a yielding connectionbetween the links'102 and'103, the force applied to one linkbeing transmitted to the other through jthis spring.A This spring thus prevents tie possible jamming of the parts operated by the toggle, since the spring will be compressed if the load on the toggle is excessive. It will also be noted, however, that in substantially every position of the crank 100 withrespect to the toggle member, the spring 108 will be under compression, and, for example, in the position shown in Figure 1` with; the crank 100 in its: lowermost position, the spring 108 will constantly apply a downward pull upon the pin 92^of the toggle, thus tending constantly' to straighten the toggle out to a greater extent than is -accomplished by the crank' motion alone.-

lafter described. The flanges of the head and barrel' thus at all times are securely held in intimate contact by the pressure con'- stantly exerted by -this -springthus insuring a perfect seam. The spring 108 likewise permits of the accommodation between the chucks 25 and 26 of barrels varying slightly in length, since the advancev motion of the tail-stock in the direction ofthe barrel is given a capacity of yielding due to this spring. K

The degree of pressure exerted by the spring 108 may be adjusted by adjusting the collar 110 on the tubular link 102, by means of which the compression of the spring 108 may be readily varied.

It will thus be seen that as the crank 100 is rotated, each revolution irst breaks or lexes the toggle and thereafter returns it to substantially straight-line position, as

shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Especial atten ion isdrawn to thefact that al though this extended position of the toggle is referred to as' substantially straight-line, it is preferably not brought into a full straight-line position. That is, the axis of the central pivot is not brought, in the preferred. construct-ion, into the plane of the axes of the two end pivots, as it is desired that there be a limit tothe forward thrust of the toggle at its extended position in order that it mayyield if necessary' by the action of the spring 108.

The rotation of thecralik 1,00 is intermittent. VVith the head-stock retracted, that is with the toggle iexed upwardly, the pinion 98 is in mesh with the central portion of the gear sector 97, 'and assuming the shaft 61 to bev stationary, it is locked in this position. When however 'the gear'l sector is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 4, the first action on pinion 98 is to turn it through one-half revolution into the position shown in full lines in Figure- 4. This swings the crank 100 from its uppermost to its lowermost position and it remains in this position while the barrel 27 is being acted upon. -During the latter action, the disk 96 completes its rotation and in the last stage of its revolution theadvanced portion of the gear sector inter-meshes with and ro- Ytates the pinion 98 throughout another half turn, bringing the crank 100 again into its luppermost position. It the shaft 61 is then stopped, the pinion 98 will rest substantially at the mid portion of the gear sector 97 atabout the point indicated by the arrow `112 (Figure 4). In this manner, the tail-stock 24 is again retracted and may be assumed to rest in its retracted .position.

-In o rder to hold the parts securely in povanced`,`there.is provided a locking mechanism shown yin Figure 4 of the drawings. This comprises a bell crank levr'113 having a pivot shaft 114.` O ne armjof thislever' is drawn downwardly as by the spring 115 and the other is provided with a cam roller 116 by which the lever is actuated. This cam .roller` co-acts with a suitable cam surface 117 carried by the disk 96 which, as such diskl rotates, depresses the roller and swings the bell crank' lever or rock shaft 'against the tension of spring 115 prior to engagement of the pinion 98 by the gear sector 97. The spring-depressed retracted arm of the lever 113 is provided with a locking roller 118 adapted to co-act with a notch 119 in a locking disk 120 fast upon thecrank shaft 99. Cam roller 116 being released prioi` to the time that the gear sector 97 passes out of mesh with the gear sector 98, the locking roller 118 is depressed against the periphery of the locking disk and as the chucks 25 and 26 come iirmly into position within the chime ofthe barrel 27, the notch 119 reaches a position under locking roller 118 and the latter snaps downwardly thereinto. This by means of locking disk 120 rigidly holds the parts in the above position until just prior ,to the engagement of pinion 98 by gear sector 97.4 At this stage the cam swings the lever 113 to carry locking roller 118 out of its notch or recess and permits proper engagement of pinion 98 with the sector 97, thereby causing the crank shaft 99 to be rotated into the position shown in full lines in the drawings.

lt is to be noted that, by the above described mechanism for actuating the tailstock, there is achieved a highly advantageous action of engagement between the barrel and the chuck 26 carried by the tailstock: as the chuck 26 ap roaches the one end of the barrel, the Spee of movement of the chuck 26 toward the barrel is gradually decreased to permit a gentle but firm enin cf'fectgives the chuck 26 a motion that is substantially simpleharmonic, achieving not only the above-mentioned advantagesv but also high speed of action.

The rolling meczam'sm.-Thus far therei has been described the various means b which the barrel is received, held in position,.rotated, and-released. The mechanism which specifically acts on the barrel will nowl be set forth. lt is understood that the chucks 25 and 26 enter within the chime or projecting "annular` end portion of the barrel. These chucks are of heavy construction and not only rapidly rotatey the barrel but afford a ,rigid support for the barrel sition after the tail'stock 24 has been adduring any loperations which may be performed thereon. i

lIn the specific apparatus set forth there are provided means for forming a double seam between the heads or end members of the barrel and the body or shell. A- great number of the features of this invention are not limited to this precise use andare eminently adapted to secure in position a metal Undesirable impacts are thus, i

self. .'It may also be noted that the term joint is used in a broad sense to comprehend not-.necessarilya completed joint but the connection between the parts at any stage even when' they are merely brought together for the rolling action.y The rolling mechanism herein set forth, however, isi adapted for the speciic purpose of forming the inner joint or double seam between these parts, the chime hoop or ring being later applied by another similar machine. l

onsidering now specifically the rolling mechanisms, there are mounted on the shaft` 61 a pair of cams 121 and 122. The cam 121 is narrower faced than the cam 122 as the mechanism which it actuates ,does not travel as a whole with respect to the frame of the machine. The cam 122`however provides a broad face because its associated mechanism is mounted uponthe' tail stock- 24 and as the latter moves toward the right or left it travels therewith, remaining in operative relation to the cam. In a similar way the .driving shaft 67 being in fixed relation to the tail stock 24 travels with the latter, sliding in its bearing 6,7a (Figure 2) and carrying the broad-faced pulley -62 to the right or left.

In respects other than the above, the

mechanisms actuated by the cams 121 and -ingly one only will be described.

122 are substantially identical,

and accord- Referring now to Figure of the drawings, there is shown a pair of levers 123 and 124 provided. with cam rollers bearing an uppermember 134 adjustablyconnected,v

against the cam 121.- The lower ends of these levers are drawn toward one another by thespring 125 'adjustable as at 126. These levers are provided with stationary pivots 127 and their upper ends are connected'bymeans of a pair of spaced curved links 128 with movable pivot pins 129.

The latter pins are each jointed to a swingingv link 130, the other end of which is pivoted to a fixed pivot 131. The pivot pin 129 also has pivoted thereto adjacent its ends a bifurcated end member 132 of a link 133 which comprises this end member and therewith by means of the internally threaded sleeve or union. 135. In this manner the effective length of the entire link 133 may be adjusted to meet varying conditions of use.

Considering briefly the actionl of the Vlink'- age thus far described, as the cam 121 swings outwardly the lower end of one of these levers (123 or 124), the upper end of the lever is swung inwardly, drawing inwardly its pair of curved .links 128 and swingmg downwardlyl heavy link 130. The swinging of this link 130 with pivot pin 129 draws downwardly upon the link 133 with a force which Yincreases rapidly and to an extreme degree. There is in ei'ect one form of toggle action as the bifurcated ends of the member 132 swing over the pivot pin 131 vand bring the link nearly into alignment with pivots 129 and 131. This position is illustrated in dotted lines at the right hand lower portion of Figure 5 of the drawings.

Links 133 are jointed at their upper, ends upon a pair o'r' eyes 13G-.formed at the outer ends of levers 137. AThe latter levers are pivoted at 138 and provided `at their inner` ends with forming rollers 139 and 140. Thus by substantially identical mechanismthe roller 139 is swung upwardly and downwardly by the lever 124 and the roller 140 is' similarly although not simultaneously actuated by theflever 123, both levers coacting with the cam 121.

j Referring more particularly to Fig. 5a, the pins 13S forming the pivots for the levers 137 at the inner ends of which are mounted the rollers 139 and 140, are mounteoy j ed in a housing 138a 'mounted upon the underslide 79 and securely clamped .thereto as by means of the b0lts250 passing through longitudinally extending slots 251 in the housing 138%. In order' to adjust thel position of the rollers 139 and 140 with'respect to the flanges 'of the barrel heads upon which. they are to operate, adjusting .screws 252 extending through a vertically extending web 79e on the underslide 79a are provided to abut-against the housing 138, and

another pair of screws 253 threaded into I the tail-stock frame 79 and abutting against the other 'side of the lever housing are provided to positively lock the roller lever housing in its adjusted position. Suitable locking nuts 254 on the several adjusting screws are provided to maintain the screws in adjusted position after adjustment of the housing withrespect to the chuck has been made. V

As is more clearly described hereinafter, the rollers 139 and 140 are applied to the flanges of the barrelheads with extreme pres'- sure, this pressure being applied in an upward direction. The re-action in a downward direction is taken up bythe pivot pins 138 and transmitted to the roller lever housling 138, and in turn transmitted lto the underslide-79, to which lthe housing 1383A is securely clamped. The underslide '79B is clampedto the tail-stock 79 by means of the bolts 7 9", and thnsftransmits this` downward thrust to the tail-stock frame 79 itself, and

`thus relieves the -frameJ members 20. and.

- pressures thus exerted. The stresses due to the application of extreme pressures to the barrel heads being thus restricted to the tail. stock frame, are not transmitted to or through the ways on the main frame, and hence permit the free and. unrestricted movement of the tail-stock during the rolling or Seaming operation. rlhe spring 108 is thus rree to move the tail-stock, and the roller lever housing 138a in the direction of the barrel to follow up the shortening of the barrel during the seaming. The underslide 7 9f1 is suitably reinforced as by means of the web 7 9d to transmit the stresses to which this head is subjected. A

1t will be understood that the roller lever housing, associated with the head-stock and with' the chuck 25 is similarly adjustably mounted as has been described in connection with the tail-stock 24. Y ln the position shown in full' lines in Figure 5 of the drawings corresponding to that of the parts in Figure 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the shaft 61 has rotated throughout only a small fraction of a coniplete revolution from the position in which the tail stock 24 is fully withdrawn. This fraction of a revolution corresponding angu- 30,larly lto one-half the length of lthe internal gear sector 97, has served to advance the tail stock into .operative relation to the barrel and the barrel is at this stage securely seized by the chucks and rapidly rotating. During this movementl the cam 121 has to a. slight extent swung outwardly the lever 123 and slightly raised the roller 14() which is actuated thereby.

121 throws the roller 140 with ahigh degree Further movement of the cam of pressure against the joint atfthe end of the barrel. This pressure is increased, due to the toggle action of the link 133 as hereinbefore described, and is maintained through- ,out several revolutions ofthe barrel until the function of this roller has 'been performed,

whereupon the `wiper or cam roller of the lever 123 passes over the extremity 141 of cam 121. At this stage spring 125 quickly swings the lower end of the lever 123 to the.

left and by an action t0 the reverse of that above described, depresses roller 140 into inoperative position.

Substantially the same cycle of actions is brought about by cam 121 and lever 124; 'in this case the roller 139 beingraised, pressed against the barrel with great forcev and finally retracted. All of this'has been accomplished during'one complete revolution of the shaft 61 and it is to be understood that during this time the barrel has been rapidly rotated and each of the rollers 140 and 139 act upon it during a 'considerable number of its revolutions.'

Considerijig now the specific action of the rollers 14Qiand 139 in this embodiment of' A145 of the body.

rsoaosa to Figures 8 to 11 of the drawings. :ln Figi ure 8 of the drawings the barrel 27 is shown with its head 142 fitted within the end of the shell or body 143 and its head flange bent or flanged outwardly as at 144 to a considerably greater extent than the outward flange Within the chime, the chuck 25 is firmly in position and the' roller 140 is shown retracted below the flanges 144 and 145.

ln lFigure 9 the roller 140 has been gradually forced upwardly, curling up the ianges 144 and 145 into the coil 146. The toggle action forces the roller 140 upwardly wit such extreme pressure that its coil is rolled up with great tightness but is of the rounded form shown to ytit the concave crest 147 of the roller.

ln Figure 10 the roller 140 has been re- Y tracted and the roller 139 is shown in position beneath the joint which results from they action of the roller 140. This roller 139 is provided with heavy end walls 148 bounding a rectangular recess 149. As the roller is forced upwardly it not only lattens the joint but its end walls limit the longitudinal extension of the joint as it is flattened. ln other words, vthe end walls 148 slightly rounded` as at 150 to prevent cutting the metal, embrace the ends of the joint and as it is iattened, insure that the extreme edges 151 and 152 of the flanges 144 and 145 respectively are held at the'bottom of the folds within which they rest, in order to give a perfect type of double seam or double lock joint. It is to ppmnoted that if desired the surfaces of the s eet metal barrel members may be coated at this pointprior to the formation bf the joint, with some rubbery cement or analogous substance which will lubricate the parts as they are rolled into position land which will seal any possible gaps due to defects in material or prior workmanship.

In this manner there is quickly formed a vcomplete double seam of perfected cross sec- 7 scription of the machine thus far it has been assumed that the barrel 27 is at the proper time brought into position in substantial .registry with the chucks 25 and 26. In

sAA far as many features of my invention are concerned, this may be brought about in any desired manner as by rolling the barrel by hand on a suitable support above the bed of the machine. I prefer however to use apparatus of the nature oi that diagrammatically set forth in Figure 6 of the drawings. Referring to this figure the position of the machine in cross section is diagrammatically indicated. by the rectangle 153 and a supporting frame is shown at 154, this frame preferably comprising a pair of members 155, as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. On these members the succession of barrels 27 27, 27", 27, etc. are rolled, being prevented from rolling off endways as by means of the rolling hoops 156 formed on the barre-ls. The barrel 27 assuming that to be the barrel shown in the drawings of the machine, is supported upon the skids or ways 155 which are downwardly inclined in the direction indicated by thel arrow 157 in Figure 6 of the drawings. The forward rolling movement of barrel 27 however has 'been stopped by the rounded portion 158 of a lever 159 which extends upwardly between the supporting members 155. This lever is swung upwardly about its pivot 160 by means of a spring 161, the action of which is limited by any suitable stop. Also acted upon by lever 159 is an escapement lever 162 pivoted as at 163 and connected with the lever 159 by the short link 164. This escapement lever 162 is pro- `vided with a pair of step arms 165 and 166.

In the position shqwn the stop bar 165 is engaged by and limitsthe downwardrolling movement of the succession of barrels, as shown i-n Figure 6 of the drawings.

Gonsideringwnow the action-of the barrel feed, when the barrel 27 has reached the position shown, its rolling movement is checked by the portion 158 of the lever159.

' In this position it is substantially in alignment with' the chucks 25 and 26 although its axis is to a slight extent below the axes of these members. The 4apparatus hereinbefore describedat this stage advances the chuck 26 toward the barrel, this chuck as well as the chuck both beingv rapidly rotated. As chuck 26 comes opposite the space within the adjacent chime of the barrel, it rolls its way inside this chime, at the same time forcing the opposite chime over chuck 25. As the chucks are' thrust within the chimes of the barrel, the latter' is lifted slightly up from its supports and rapidly rotated to be acted upon by the rolling mechanism hereinbefore described. Although the barrel when rotated is just out of contact with the supporting. means nevertheless it is substantially in operative relation theretoand 1n a broad sense may be considered as i upon the same. When a rolling,'operation is` completed the chuck 26 is withdrawn,

drawing the barrel away from chuck 25,

and the barrel, rapidly rotating, is released and dropped upon the supports 155 as' well as the end of lever 159. Due to the momentum ofthe rapidly rotating barrel, it climbs up `upon the end of lever V159, bringing its-weight upon `that'member and momen-v tarily swinging it downwardly. -The barrel 27 thereafter travels downwardly to the right to a succeeding machine or to suitable storage space. The downward swinging of lever 159 however will depress the escapement arm 165 releasingthe barrel 27a, the arm 166 meanwhile holding back the succession of barrels 27 b, 27 etc. As the arm 159 is swung upwardly bythe` spring` upon barrel 27, passing off its end, the barrel 27a' rolls down into position in the machine and `sizes.-Assuming that` it -is desired to act upon barrels of a size other than -that hereinbefore described, the chucks 25 and 26 may be: removed and other chucks of a size to fit the barrel to be acted upon, substituted.

These chucks are screwed uponft'he threaded inner ends of the spindles 44 and 78 and may be readily removed and replaced by chucks of different size. It is desired however that the speed ratio of various parts be altered and the axes of the chucks be varied to suit thc particular barrel acted upon.

lThe -former result, namely alteration of' the speed ratio of rotation of the barrel with respect to the rate of drive of the shaft 61,v

is brought about byimeans hereinbefore described. For example, the shifting handles 36'and 70 will vary thek rate of rotation off the chucks with a constant rate of rotation of the source of power. A smaller barrel, for example, may be given a higher rate of speed of turn, at its periphery and conse quently the totalv length of joint, 1s less. Furthermore, the rate of rotation of the shaft 61 may be accelerated with a smaller ybarrel as a total revolution of this Ashaft represents a complete action upon a barrel, and a smaller barrel clearly requires less time for such action. This speeding-up of the shaft 61 is brou ht about by the shiftable gearing controlledh before described.` Y

Considering now the vertical adjustment of the axes of' the chucks or `shafts 44 and 78, this is Asubstantially identical with both the head and tail stocks, and accordingly the 1 mechanism will be described with respect t0 one only. These shafts lare mounted in boxes 168 (Figure 3), slidablein vertical ways' formed on the framein which they are mounted. The boxes, two in number for i each shaft, are su ported by verticalhanger shafts 169 and 1 Oc (Figure 1), the lower .ends of which are headed and connected with y handle 52, as hereinlil( 10 of which suitable bars may be inserted.

1t will thus be seen that as the capstan' 179 is rotated in one or the other direction the nuts 171 and 172 are given opposite directions of rotation; and the shafts 169 and 17 O l5 respectively provided with right-hand and left-hand threads,'are raised or lowered in accordance with the direction of their rotation. In order to correctly position the chuck spindles at the proper height with respect to the' rollers fordifferent diameters of barrels, gauge blocks 255 are inserted between the journal boxes 168 and the upper part of the head and tail-stock frames, as is more clearly shown in Fig. 3. Thus, there are provided different sets of such gauge blocks corresponding to the different adjustments of the chuck spindles to correspond to the various' sizes of barrels to be operated upon. The gauge blocks 255 allow the "0 height of the chuck spindles .to be readily and positively adjusted and moreover function as compression means to transmit the upward pressures, imposed upon the spindles by reason of the action of the rollers,

:55 to the head .or tail-stoek'frame, and thus relieve the threaded shafts 169 and 170 from carrying or transmitting the extreme pressures exerted by the rollers 139 and 140. By this means the bearing boxes 168 may be -J adjusted to any desired height and the chucks 25 and 26 altered inv position. This action is brought about moreover without interruption of the'drive as the gearino' is maintained in mesh at its proper pitch ine throughout any desired range of movement of the chuck shafts. For example', referring to 'Figure 3 of the drawings and assumthat shaft 44 with the gear 43 moves downwardly, the pinion` 42 remains in mesh and simply swings about the axis of the shaft .as its bearing is formed in arms 180 which may swing about the axis of the shaft 44. Also the gear 40, which is on the shaft 41 with pinion 42 and accordingly swings there- \with. is maintained `in`mesh with the gear 37 cas the shafts 39 and 41 are connected by means of the arms 181 which are adapted to swing about -the axis of the shaft 39. Thus as the gear 43 is moved upwardly or down- "10 wardly the gearing connection is undisturbed, the swinging arms 180 and 181 permitting the .gears to adjust'themselves and holding them in mesh at their pitch lines. "By a substantially identical mounting of 55 the shaft 75 by meansof arms 182 and 183 lond barrel fed into proper position.

menaces (see 'Fig'. 4%, the drive is properly maintained to tie gear whatever its position within its range of adjustment.

The automatic drz've.-1i`or the preferred action of the apparatus hereinbefore described, the machine is driven throughout a complete cycle of operations, that is, a complete revolution of the shaft 61, and certain parts thereof stopped until the barrel acted, upon has been discharged and the sec- T ie preferred driving means by which this lis brought'about are as follows although it is tok be understood that the details, particularly in electrical matters,.will not be herein set forth as they form no part of the present invention.

1n Figure 7 is shown a simplified diagram of the preferred Velectrical operating and control circuits. n this diagram there are shown the moto-rs 32 and 66 driving respectively the pulleys 30- and 62 of the machine.

The motors are preferably of the' threephase induction type and are preferably connected in parallel so that they may be controlled from a single panel represented at 185 and upon which are mounted the remotely controlled main switches. The moto-rs derive their electrical energy from the mains 1863, 1861, and 186c and their circuit is controlled successively by the main 2-pole switch` 187 and by an auxiliary switch 188. The main switch 187 serves first to close the circuit to 'the' motor throughthe starting resistances 189a and 189b which resistances are short circuited and cut out of the circuit by the operation of the auxiliary switch 188 which in turn is closed after a time element has elasped of sufficient duration to allow the motors 32 and 66 to have accelerated suiiciently to have full line voltage applied to them. The successive operation of Jche switches 187 and 188 is controlled in turn by means of the relay 196 whose operation in vturn is electrically controlled from a remote lpoint by means of the push button panel 191 located preferably l upon the front of the machine and within easy reach of the operator. Upon push button panel 191 are mounted the but-ton 192 for starting 4the motors and the button 193 for stopping. l

Taking up in detail the electrical control it is first to be noted that the several parts as shown in Figure 7 are in their normal positions. The switch 187 is electically operated by the solenoid 194 and its core 195 to which 4the circuit breaking parts of this witch 187 are mechanically connected. Associated also with core 195 are -two pairs of contacts 196 and 197, the former pair being normally closed by means of the contact member 198 connected thecore 195.

' The switch .188 islikewise to and operated by' electro-mag 130 199 and the core nsoaoas by means of the solenoid 200 to which the. circuit breaking members of the switch 188 .are shown diagrammatically connected.

Referring now to the relay winding 190, there is associated with it a core 201 mechanically connected to a pivoted member 202 adapted to contact with either of the contacts 203 and 204. The normal position of the member 202 is its lower position when .in contactjvith contact 203. The rate at which the relay winding`190 changes the netically operated electrical connection of member 202 *from` A contact 204 to contact 203 is governed by means of the air dash-pot 205. The dashpot 205" is provided with a check-valve 205a which permits of a rapid upward movement of the member 202 but Which-permits of an adjustable rate of downward movement thereof. Upper contact 204 controls the circuit of coil 194 of the main switch 187 and the lower 'contact 203 governs the cicuit lof the coil 199 of the auxiliary switch 188 and. the time interval intervening the successive operation of 188 is governed by properly' adjusting the dash-pot 205 to retard the switching over action. of relay 190 as is'consistent with 'the proper starting characteristics of motors and v,66. The driving motor 32 is provided with an electrically 'controlled bnake (Figure 7a) having a brake shoe 206 mounted upon the lever 207 pivoted at 207 a and operating upon the brake pulley 208 upon the shaft of motor32. The braking eii'ect is adjustable by varying the weights 209 suspended from the end of the lever 207 and the release of the in the main leads 186".

. of push button 192, conductor brake is accomplished by means of the solenoid 210 connected 'by the leads 210a and by connected topoints and 186c between the switch 187 and switch 188 so that the solenoid circuit will not be alected by the interposition of the starting resistances 189 and 1891.

When the barrel 27 -is rolled into the `proper position to Abe engaged bythe chucks 25 and I26 (see Figure 6), it depresses the lever 225 pivoted at 226, against spring 227, thusdepressing in turn the push button 192, thus closed, this. circuiti' extending from main 186g, through conductor 211 through the limit switch 212 (to be hereinafter more specifically described) through the circuit" 213, contacts member 198 in itsv normal upper position),tl irough winding190 and through conductor 214 tothe main', wire 186". Relay 190 uickly draws up its contact member 202 which is electrically connected to the 196 (closed by f conductor 215 to connect the latter with the upper 'contact 204` whereby the circuit of solenoid 1940i` the main switch 187 is closed from the switches 187 and closed,

Y load.

The circuit of relay winding 190 is.

through the starting resistances 189a and 189". At the same time the movement of core 195 downwardly opens the' circuit of relay 190 at contacts 196, and closes the contacts 197, thus maintaining closed the circuit of coil `194 throu h conductor 216, contacts 197, coil 194, con uctor 214 to main 186". Relay 190 being thus deenergized allows its contact member 202 to move downwardly,- its rate ot" movementbeing governed by the dash-pot 205 so that after the proper time element has elapsed to allow of sutlicient acceleration of the motors 32 and 66, the circuit to the coil 199 of the auxiliary switch 188 i's closed by contact 203 as follows: from main 186, conductor 211, limit switch 212 through push button 193, conductor 216, contacts 197, (now closed by the downward position of ,contact member 198), conductor 217 conductor 215, contact 203, conductor 218, ycoil 199, conductor 219, to main 186". The former circuit of coil 194 is opened by contact 204 by the deenergization of relay 190 b-ut a new cir.- cuit, as 'above described, is established through contacts 197 to maintain the .coil

194 energized` and the switch 187 closed` 189b and thus allows ull line voltage to be p applied to the motor -to bring themup to full speed. A

At the moment that vmain switch 187 is the circuit to the solenoid 210 is likewise closed whereupon-the brake shoe 206 islifted from the brake pulley 208 so that the motor 32 is free to start with its belt As soon as the operation upon the barrel as hereinbefore described has been completed, the circuits of the motors 32 and 66 are automatically opened by means of the finger 220 mounted upon the shaft 61 (Figure 1) by means of the clamped bushing 221 rotating so as to come in contact with the roller 222 of the lever arm 223 of the limit switch 212 positioned underneath the machine. The angular position of the'finger 220 with respect t'o (Figure 4) may bel adjusted by means of the clamped bushing 221 and isprcferably so positioned that it will operate the limit switch 212 which is in the same circuit electrically with the stop push button 193, at a time just preceding the moinent at which the locking roller 118 is withdrawn from notch 119 in the locking disk 120. The operation of the limit switch 212 is only mothe locking disk 120 mentary, as may also be the ,operation of push button 193 when manually operated, but is of suicient duration to open the circuit of coil 194 of the main switch 187, the circuit of this coil being from main 186,

' conductor 211, limit switch 212, push button 193, conductor 2167 contacts 197, conductor 217, coil 194, conductor 214 to main 186". The coil 194 being deenergized at once opens the main switch 187 by the retractile'eort of the spring 224, which, besides opening the main switch 187,- also opens the circuit of coil 199 of the auxiliary switch 188 at the lower contacts 197, thus restoring theseveraliparts of the control switches to their normal and initial position.

As soon as -the main switch 187 has been opened, the solenoid 210 of the brake is deenergized thereby allowing the weights 209 t0 operate upon the brake pulley 208 of motor 32 through the Ibrake shoe v206 to bringthe motor to a standstill. The point at which it is desired to bring the motor stopping of t 32 and the-parts of the machine to which it is operatively connected to a standstill is such that the tail-stock with its associated chuck 26jis totally withdrawn t0 release the barrel 27, this point being reached when the crank 100 (Figure l), is in its upper posit-ion and the toggle connected thereto is totally flexed. Hence the finger 220 on the shaft 61 is preferably adjusted to operate the limit switch 212 at such an instant that, by the time the brake has overcome the momentum of the motor 32 andits connected parts of the machine, the chuck 26 will be withdrawn to its furthermost position to the right. t

The provision of push button 193 on the push button panel 191 located within easy reach of the operator permits also of the e driving motors at any .instant during the cycle of operation as may be found necessary. Push button 192 on the same panel similarly permits the starting of the driving motors at will as may be desired. 'The operation of either of these push buttons results electrically in the same effects as the automatic controls described.l

By way of brief recapitulation, the barrels are automatically fed to the machine 'as by, the mechanism diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 6.v When the in position, made which may be governed automatically by the movement of the lever 159. connection being brought about, the tailstock 24 is quickly advanced into position, the barrel gripped and rotated. With the; tail-shock in position as` hereinbe'fore descri ed, -the two first acting rollers are thrown up against Athe flanges. of the barrel members to perform their functions, then retracted and barrel is thereupon the' second acting'rollers brought the proper electricalv contact is,

This y thusl acting and yieldin ly held ioacaa ried out of operative relation to the machine and the following barrel automaticallyf thrown into position to be acted upon.

The machine may be driven at high speed, may be rapidly advanced for barrels of different sizes, its rolls may be altered to perform diiferent operations on the barrel, and all of its parts are readily accessible for inspection or if necessary, repair.

Although the operation of the machine as herein described is substantially automatic, nevertheless many' of the novel actions herein set forth maybe carried on notI only by other mechanism but in certain cases manually, and it is to be noted that many of the features of this invention lie in the combinations ofsteps of action as well as in the means` whereby such steps are here l shown as'irapidly and conveniently carried 1t is also to be noted that many of the advantages of the features of construction and action herein set forth have not been dealt with in detail as the endeavor has been made to set forth clearly an illustrative embodiment of the invention rather than a full exposition of the advantages resulting from and inherent in the features of the invention itself. 1t may be noted however that the'parts are so arranged that although when a high degree of pressure is required this pressure of an extreme value is attained without shock or undue strain on the parts and without undue load on the source of power. Also the inventionmeets Y v ditions of the hardest practical use.

Asvarious possible embodiments might be made of the mechanical' features of the above invention and as the art herein described might be varied 1n various parts,

all without departing from the scope of the lnvention, it is -understood that all matter herein set forthor shown in the accompanylng'drawings is to be interpreted as illustratlve and notin a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a rotary member adapted to engage one end of a barrel, a rotary member adapted to engage the opposite end of said barrel, a driving shaft,

`and a series of members adapted when ar- 130 being operatively controlled by said driving shaft', and adapted thereby to be placed in operative relation to the remaining members to effect a movement of said rotary member.

2. In apparatus for making steel barrels 1-0 and the like, in combination, a rotary member adapted to engage one end of a barrel, a rotary member adapted to engage the opposite end of `said barrel, a driving shaft, and aseries of members adapted when arranged successively to bepoperated by said driving shaft to move one of said rotary members toward the -otherto grip Ta. barrel Y therebetween, one of said series of members being operatively controlled by said driving shaft and adapted thereby to be placed in operative relation to the remaining members to effect a movement of said rotary member, means adapted to roll a joint on a barrel gripped between said rotary members, and means driven from said driving shaft for forcing said rolling means againstl the joint.

B. In apparatusformaking 'steel barrels and the like, in combination, means adapted to support a barrel in a substantially hori- Zontal position betweena pair of rotary members, means rotatably mounting said rotary members for rotation about a relatively fixed axis, power means for driving one of :z5 said rotary members ,to spin said barrel when the latter is gripped therebetween, means adapted to bring said members into operative relation to the endsof said barrel and spin the same,.rolling means, and means 40k actuated from said source of power and adapted simultaneously to bring said rolling means into action upon both endportions of said barrel during its spinning motion.

4L. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, means adapted to support a barrel in a substantially horizontal position between -a pair of rotary members, means rotatably mounting said rotary members for` rotation about a relatively iXedaXis, `a power driven shaft having connections with one of said rotary members to rotate the same, means actuated from said shaft and adapted to bring -said members into operative relation` to the ends of Ysaid 55 barrel-and spin thesame, and rolling means Oadapted to act upon the end portions of said barrel during its'spinning motion, said rotary members in operative position being respectively fitted within the chime portions of the barrel.4

5. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a rotary mem-v ber adapted to engage one end of a-barrel, a

rotary member ada ted to engage the opposite end vof said b arrel, a driving shaft,

and a series/of members, one of which is under the control of the latter to be placed in operative relation to the remaining members,to effect a movement of said rotary lmember to yieldably grip a barrel therebetween.

6. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a pair of rotary members adapted respectively to fit within opposite ends of a barrel and rotate the same, a separate source of power for driving each of said rotary members means adapted simultaneously. to roll joints on. said barrell at both ends while so rotating and means actuated by one of said sources of power for throwing said joint-rolling means into operative relation to the' ends of said barrel. V

y7. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a rotary member adapted to engage one end of a barrel, a rotary member adapted to engage'the opposuccessively Ato' be operated byL said driving shaft to move one of said rotary members ltoward the other to grip a barrel therebe tween, one of said series of members being operatively controlled by said driving `shaft and adapted thereby to be placed in operative relation to the remaining members movable by said driving shaft and adapted to effect a movement of said rotary mem- 4 ber, means adapted to partially form a joint on said barrel, means adapted to complete the formation of a joint on said barrel, and

means driven from said driving shaft for.

forcing said joint-forming means against the joint of the barrel in the ordery above set forth. y l v 8.. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a pair of substantially co-axial .rotary members, means including a rotatable crank having .connection with one of said members and adapted to lessenthe axial distance between said members td t them respectively intol the chime portions-of the ends of a barrel therebetween, means for intermittently rotating said crank, and means co-acting with one of said members adapted to roll an end joint Aon the corresponding chime portion of said 9. In apparatus-for makingfsteel barrels and the like, incombination, a main frame, a pair of substantially coaxial rotaryl members adapted respectivelyl to fit within the opposite ends of a'barrel, a standard mount# ed upon said frame, oneofsaid. rotary members being rotatably supported in said standi ard, means coacting with one of said rotary 10. ln apparatus for making steel barrels` and the like, in combination, a main frame,

a pair of substantially coaxial rotary 111cm-,

bers adapted respectively to fit within the opposite ends of a barrel, a pair of standards mounted uponsaid frame and each rotatably supporting one of said rotary members, separate means coacting with each of said members adapted respectively to roll a joint upon the corresponding end of said barrel, and means supporting each of said coacting rolling means on one of said standards adapted to substantially 'relieve said main frame from the stresses resulting from reaction between said'rolling means and their respective coacting rotary members.

11. Inapparatus vfor making steel barrels and the like, `in combination, a main frame, a pair of substantially coaxialrotary members adapted respectively to fit within the opposite ends of a barrel, a standard movably mounted upon said main frame and 'supporting rotatably one of saidA rotary one direction to ,lessen the' axial, distancebetween said members to bring?` them ree4 Vspectively into operative relation to the ends'v of a barrel therebetween, means.V co'actingA I andthe like, in combination, means adaptmembers and adapted upon. movement in one direction to lessen the axial distance between said members to bring them respec-v tively into operative relation'to the ends of j a barrel therebetweem'means coact'ing with said axially movable rotary member adapted to roll a joint on the end of said barrel supported upon said rotary member, and means supporting said coacting rollinggmeans on said movable standard to be movable therewith and to relieve said main frame from the reacting stresses between said "coacting parts. I

l2. in apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a main frame, a pair of substantially coaxial rotary members adapted respectivelyv4 to it within the opposite ends of a barrel, 'a standard movably mounted uponsaid main frame and supporting rotatably one of said *rotary members and adapted upon movementv in with said axially movable rotary member adapted to roll a' joint 'on the end of saidzbarrel supported uponsaid rotary* member,

said coacting parts, and means for 'relatively I tenaces y adjusting said rolling means and said coacting rotary member in an axial direction.

13. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a main frame, a pair of substantially coaxial `rotary members adapted respectively to it within the opposite ends of a barrel, a standard mountedupon said frame, one of said rotary members being rotatably supported in said standard, a ,rolling device movably mounted upon said standard and adapted to coact with'the rotary member mounted thereon to roll a joint on one end of said barrel, a power-driven cam adapted to be rotatably supported withfrespect to said I rolling device, and connections between said cam and said rolling device adapted to force said rolling device against said joint" and arranged to confine the reactive stresses be tween said rotary member and said rolling devices tov said' standard.

n 14. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, a main frame, a pair of substantially coaxial rotary mem bersadapted respectively to tit within the opposite., ends of a barrel," 'a standard mounted upon'saidrrame, one of said rotary members being rotatably supported in said standard, means coacting with one of said rotary members adapted to roll a jointV on one end of said barrel, means supporting said coacting rolling means on said standard adapted thereby to substantially confine thel stresses resulting Jfrom the coaction between.

said coactingparts tosaid standard and to f relieve said main fname thereof, and means vfor relatively adjusting said rolling-means and said coacting rotary member in an axial direction.

15. In apparatus for-making steel barrels and the like in combination, a main frame, a`pa1r of substantially coaxial rotar members adapted respectively to wit inthe opposite endsy of a barrel, a standard mounted upon said frame, one of said rotary members being rotatably supported in said standard, means adapted partially to form a joint, means adapted to complete the formation of a joint, means adapted to urge said joint-orming means into operative re-A lation to said barrel, 'and means supportinv said joint-formingmea'ns on -said standar adapted thereby to substantially confine thel reactivestresses resulting therefrom to said standard.' i "16.' Inl apparatus for making steel barrels ed to engage and rotate and then disengage a barrel, said -means permitting disengagement of lthe barrel Without stopping they ceive a Arotating barrel upon disengagement` 1,5os,oss

thereof by said rotating means and permit it to roll out of operative relation, from said rotating means by the inherent rotaryA movement of the barrel.

17. In apparatus` for making 'steel barrels and the like, in combination,- means -adaptedto support abarrel in a substantially horizontal position', means adapted to engage the ends of a barrel thus supported and rotate and then disengage the same, said means 'being arranged to permit disenga ement of the barrel Without stoppingv t e rotary movement thereof,- means adapted to perform an operation upon the barrel While thus engaged and rotated, and guiding means extending away upon which said barrel is rolled away by said rotary movement upon being disengaged.

18. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, means adapted to support a plurality of barrels and permit them to roll in 'succession in a predetermined 'direction by gravity in a substantially horizontal position, -means adapted to terminate said rolling movement at a predetermined point, means adapted to engage theforemost of said succession of at' said point and roll barrels by its ends and means controlled thereon,

and rolling lmeans adapted to permit another barrel to roll 'into position for said operation.

j adapted 19. InV apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, means adapted to support a barrel and permit it to roll in a predetermined direction by gravity in a substantially horizontal position, means adapted to terminate said rolling movement at aA predetermined point, means adapted to engage 'saidI barrel by its ends atsaid point and roll end joints thereon and then to disengage said barrel, and

, means operative substantially upon the comof the joint-rolling operation to permit another barrel to roll into position for said operation.

20. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, means adapted to. support a barrel and permit it to roll in al predetermlned direction by gravity in pletion a substantially horizontal posiadapted to terminate said rolling movement at a predetermined point, means adapted to engage said 'barrel by its ends 'at said point and roll endjoints thereand means adapted automatically upon said rolling operation being completed to discharge said barrel and permit another barrel to roll into position for said operation, said last means being controlled by the movement of said barrels.

21.` In apparatus for making steel baradapted to support from the machine rels -and the like, in combination, means adapted 'to feed an assembled barrel into. a predetermined position, means adapted to perform a joint forming operation upon a barrel in said position, and means controlled by the movement of said barrel adapted automatically to set said second-mentioned means `in action upon said barrel reaching said position.

22. In apparatus for making steel barrels andthe like, in combination, means asuccessio'n of barrels and permit them to roll in a predetermined direction by gravity, means adapted to engage and rotate the foremost barrel of said succession of barrels when it has arrived at a predetermined point, means adapted to perform an operation upon a barrel thus rotated, means adapted to cause said en. gaging means to release the barrel, and an escapement mechanism for permitting a succeedi.; barrel of said succession of barrels to ro l'into position at'said predetermined point.

'23. In apparatus for making .steel barrels and the like, in combination, means ladapted to support a barrel and permit it 24.' In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination, means barrel adapted automatically -'to ,setf f adapted to support a barrel and permit 1tM l to roll in a predetermined direction by gravity in a substantially horizontal position toa predetermined point, means automatically set in action by movement of said barrel adapted to engage and rotate said barrel upon its reaching said point, means adapted to roll an end joint upon the barrel thus rotated, and a support upon which said' barrel is rolled by said rotary movement on being disengaged.

25. In apparatus for making steel barrels and the like, in combination barrel-suporting means, apair of substantially co-axial rotary members respectively adapted to engage an end of'a barrel upon said supporting means, means adapted to drive said rotary members, and means adapted to va the position of the axis of said members wit respect to said supportin maintaining the axis paralle of abarrel on said supporting means and maintain connection with said driving means. v

26. In apparatus for making steel-barrels means While to the axis 

